Dedicated Changing rooms for Cosplays

By Willuknight. 17/03/11, 03:37 pm

That's not what i'm internested in doing Highlander. They tried that in Auckland and it didn't work.

The main focus of this is for a cosplay costume changing area. Leaving oversize props in storage is useful but a 2ndary focus.

By neimhaille. 18/03/11, 05:00 am

Do have a ticketing system if you do have it for storage. It is way too easy for someone to come in after a shift change.

We just use raffle tickets, the ticket itself has a symbol and number and then we put on the contestant number. it's faster than writing down names and descriptions and is personalised enough by way of being able to recognise the hand writing.

A door minder is more than just a good idea, it's getting necessary. There are members of the public who will push through to anywhere thinking they are entitled to go to all places.
We have them for the contest because there is always someone who will rattle the door even with a big sign on it ;)

Luckily in Sydney there were site security staff to allow our minder(s) to have a break during the judging process and we also had badges I made so we could say only people with them could enter. $2 for a set of ten plastic covers and then one sheet of printing on card cut and slotted in. That might also be an idea to help people know if the people on the door/inside have the answers :)

I did manage to finish my volunteer info pack so if anyone is interested in seeing it to see how things run and how it could be applied here please feel free to email armageddon.cospla@gmail.com I will be sending them out (after a spot of updating as some event organisation has changed) to those who are helping the parade and contest.
(It lists the order of the whole schebang ad well as what roles there are and what is expected. It has come about from 4 years of running things so it's definitely not anything one would expect people to know right off the bat!

Also, have had the room confirmed for judging, it is at the top of the stairs upstairs so it's not a huge hike. Just make sure to check at the info booth on Sunday morning just in case. But it is quite small. if anyone would like to help please email armageddon.cosplay@gmail.com We do need door minders.

By **JVCA**. 18/03/11, 05:36 am

Up to Will whether he wants to go for the ticketing/storage thing or not, but I can pick up a ticketing book at work (Whitcoulls) on the cheap; likewise with the badges.

In regards to storage; do you know what the layout of the changing room area is like, Michaela? I assume the front door is lockable, but are there any inner doors that can be locked with things stored inside too?

By Willuknight. 18/03/11, 07:34 am

The ticketing won't work because this is a CHANGING ROOM - ie you have someone outside and people going in and putting their cosplays on and then leaving. Ticketing would only work when storing bags somewhere where only a few people have access to.

As I said, this proposal is trying to make it easier for people to put their costumes on and off without having to share the venue toilets or doing it in a corner somewhere.

Storing and extra non-valuable stuff is a secondary benefit. Carry your wallet/camera/phone around with you and there won't be much that's valuable worth stealing.

As I said, if people do decide to leave their costume bits and pieces and props in the changing room then most of this stuff would be of value only to that person.

JVA: Inside the rooms are just benches, with hooks above and a couple of toilet stalls.

By **JVCA**. 18/03/11, 07:50 am

Mmm. If there's nowhere inside that thinks can be locked, then storage should be allowed with an at your own risk disclaimer (possibly repeated to people as they enter). Obviously if a DBZ character tries to walk out with a keyblade then that'll ring a few alarm bells, but there's not much else that can be done.

**Guest** Guest

QUESTION:
This'll be co-ed, then right? Coz me and my skivvies are fine with that, but others might not be.

ETA: Unless Kitten is there. Razz

By Mischa. 18/03/11, 11:59 am

^ good question! I don't want to end up in jail because some 14 year old boy glimses my dirty pillows

By Willuknight. 18/03/11, 02:27 pm

It depends if we can get seperate changing rooms or not - From my memory there are two locker rooms that are not used, but otherwise it may be co-ed.

There will be stalls if you need to more then partially disrobe but for most cosplayers it should be ok.

By Sebbiesawrr. 30/03/11, 10:37 am

Omg yayyyyyyyyy!!!! Is the changing rooms for all cosplayers? not just ones entering the contest?

By **Riven_**. 07/04/11, 10:55 am

Yup. It's for everyone. (It wouldn't be useful for people in the contest, because it won't be open Sunday morning ^^)

EDIT: so, what's the haps with this, Will? Where shall we meet you to get keys/sort things out/etc?

By Willuknight. 07/04/11, 10:58 am

Theres not really much point in being open sunday morning BECAUSE of the contest.

Give me a txt 027 2328 343 on Saturday or stop by the rooms in the first hour, we will play it by ear.

By **Riven_**. 07/04/11, 11:09 am

Excellent. Thanks again for organising this!

By Sebbiesawrr. 07/04/11, 12:48 pm

Thank you so much!

Wahhh excitement T^T

By Willuknight. 08/04/11, 08:27 am

OK, update:

We have two changing rooms with dedicated seperate toileting and showering facilities. This area will be avaliable to cosplayers between 10:30am (maybe from 10am) to 11:30am AND 5pm to 6pm both days.

What you need to be able to use these rooms: intention of cosplaying/belong to the cosplay community AND any ID with your name printed on it.

We will be tracking who uses these rooms for security and safety purposes. You will need to verify your name with your printed ID (eftpos card, licence, school card etc.) and sign in and out of the room.

You can leave your belongings in the room, we are all care but no responsibility. We will take steps to prevent theft but can not absolutely guaranteeanything. Having said that, non-valuables I expect will be perfectly safe. The fact we are tracking entry should be enough to deter most people.

Please let me know if you can help supervise the rooms during any of those times; I beleive Pyro is covering Saturday morning, everyone else please touch base there if you wish to help out. I will be there at the start and end of each opening time to open and lock the rooms.

So TLDR: Male and Female Changing rooms with toilets and showers. 2hours both days

By Sebbiesawrr. 08/04/11, 09:31 am

Will there be a map to show where the rooms are...?

By Willuknight. 09/04/11, 01:29 pm

Just ask at the front desk.

Hope the people that used the room today enjoyed having those facilities avaliable - Hope to see some more of you there tomorrow.

The cosplay judging takes place next to the rooms tomorrow, so you can come to the venue, get changed and then get judged next door.

By Mischa. 09/04/11, 02:18 pm

thank you so much for organising this- it was great to have such a large space to change in! (It even had a large double sided full length mirror). I also had no worries about leaving my bags in there thanks to the check in system

By Icarus. 10/04/11, 04:06 pm

What Mischa said, THANK YOU SO MUCH. Sooooooo very glad we didn't have to carry my sister around for the entire day.

By Mandie_Chan. 11/04/11, 06:42 am

"These changing rooms were a life saver!" - Someone made the comment to me while I was on door duty.

Thanks so much Will for all the work you put into organizing this! They were the perfect storage space and changing room!

By Pyro. 11/04/11, 02:26 pm

These were amazing!! So so so useful, being able to store stuff and get changed and whatnot without worrying. It was also great for makeup-- that bathroom off to the side was really well-lit and I didn't feel that '> sad

' pressure I'd have in a normal bathroom to get things done asap because someone needs the sink.

By Victorian Couture. 11/04/11, 03:42 pm

OMg the changing rooms were a real "life saver" I don't think i would have been able to wear my glass mark cosplay if not for the changing room, it took at least a half an hour not including markup and wig to get dressed into it, and that was rushing.

I scared ALOT of people when they walked into the HUGE upstairs bathroom to find me laying on the cold floor with my hoop skirt, I had a HUGE problem with overheating and blood circation from almost being anaemic , and my legs keep trying to give away under me.
it was so good to be able to enjoy the con and not worrying about my suitcase and being in the way of normal con-goers when i had weak moments

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH chuu~!

I really don't think i can say thank you enough

By Willuknight. 13/04/11, 04:28 pm

Thanks for all the great feedback folks, definitely makes the effort involved in getting the room and everything ready worthwhile.

Thanks for everyone that helped man the door as well. Next time we do this, now I know how everything goes together, we can get the door roster organized more.

By neimhaille. 28/01/12, 02:24 am

Any plans on the Return of the Changing Room? Would love to add it to the tumblr and facebook update I will be trying to aim for this weekend...

By **JVCA**. 28/01/12, 06:32 am

It would certainly be appreciated at least on Judging Day!

By Hannah. 29/01/12, 10:09 am

I know there are a few "Big" costumes planed for this years competition and changing rooms would be a fantastic idea as not all parts of these will be "walk around in small spaces safe" and may need to be left in the fitting rooms for most of the day

**Sponsored content**